Q : I’ve always been interested in the history of Hollywood and in my readings on William Randolph Hearst, and I’ve come across some accounts of his relationship with Walt. I’ve heard that Walt was a guest at Hearst Castle, as well as being a part of similar organizations, but I’ve never seen any indication of this relationship in Walt’s biographies. Were they acquaintances?
Lauren, San Jose, California
A: We have been unable to prove that Walt Disney was ever a guest at Hearst Castle.
Q : My wife and I are avid Disney fans and enjoy how special it is to be D23 and DVC Members. I recently received a note from a friend that contained information about Walt being a 33rd Degree Freemason. I was intrigued by the mention of a Club 33 located at Disneyland and hoped for some possible explanations as to where the 33 came from. Was “3” Walt’s favorite number? Was there—or is there—a Club 33? And, if so, please provide what history you know about the club.
Paul, Harbor Springs, Michigan
A: Walt was never a Mason, so your suppositions are incorrect. Club 33, a private club at Disneyland, was named after its address on the street—33 Royal Street.
Q : On a visit to Disneyland in March 1994 I noticed that the Oscar given to Walt Disney for his creation of Mickey Mouse was no longer on display in The Walt Disney Story exhibit. A cast member told me that Lillian Disney removed the Oscar after Touchstone Pictures released Down and Out in Beverly Hills as a protest of the kind of adult-oriented movies being made by the new Disney-owned studio. Is this true?
Brad, Palmyra, Virginia
A: That is incorrect. The awards presented to Walt Disney personally were always deemed his private property. As part of a 1984 agreement whereby the Disney Company gained the exclusive rights to the Walt Disney name and image, the awards and other Walt Disney property were returned to the family. This was two years before Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
Q : I have several questions. First, were there any specific factors that led to the abandonment of the original EPCOT concept (The City of Tomorrow), or was it just simply Walt Disney’s death? Did they legitimately try to do it in the years after his death, or did the enthusiasm and vision die with Walt in December 1966? Lastly, who is your favorite Disney character, who is your favorite Muppet, and what is your favorite Pixar movie or character? You the man, Dave!
Kenny, Lithonia, Georgia
A: EPCOT was indeed Walt Disney’s pet project and after he died, Disney executives were unsure of what to do about the project. Walt had been unable to refine his ideas. When the executives began studying Walt’s ideas of a community where people would actually live and work, questions arose as to possible problems with trying to regulate the lives of residents, essentially having them “living in a fishbowl.” It took almost a decade for the Imagineers to come up with something they felt would really work. My favorite Disney character is Pluto and my favorite Muppet is Sam the Eagle. My favorite Pixar film is Ratatouille, with my favorite character being Remy.
Q : I read Bob Thomas’ book on Walt Disney and he mentioned (on page 190) that when Walt found out one of his animators was arrested on a homosexual charge, he said, “Give him a chance; we all make mistakes.” This certainly seems like a big thing at the time, considering LGBT people could be—and were—prosecuted around the country. As a gay man, it would mean a lot to me if I knew Walt was supportive of LGBT people. Do you have any information from the archives supporting this claim?
Scott, Anaheim, California
A: We have nothing other than the statement in Bob Thomas’ book. Bob probably got the story from one of the many people he interviewed.